This week was SO BUSY! I didn't get to do everything that I wanted to do, but I did workout everyday! Just keep going! Even on your worst day, do something!! I found time to do yoga everyday. I registered for a 5k in December - and I am so excited!!

Eating healthy on the go doesn't have to be challenging. Meal prepping really helps with eating healthy! I love to meal prep on Sunday's - it takes out all the stress in the mornings trying to get out the house!

Today I packed a coconut cream pie LARABAR, some fresh strawberries, and I made an iced hibiscus tea from Buddha Teas. Love their tea!! Right now I am hooked on drinking the hibiscus tea iced instead of hot.

Their teas are

Organic

GMO FREE

They use bleach free bags

They don't use any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Can't wait to share more on their teas, and they have a TON of teas to choose from.

11.23.2014

So, early spring I posted a nighttime skin care routine, and things have changed. I have since thrown most of that stuff away - anything that wasn't cruelty free, and had a lot of chemicals went right into the trash. Now, it's time to update my nighttime routine. It's really simple. You don't need twenty products to apply to your face for glowing skin.

The first thing I do is use Arbonne's Eye Makeup Remover to remove my daily cat eye,and mascara. Their products are vegan, cruelty free, and very gentle. Would you want to put harsh chemicals around your eyes?

After I remove my eye makeup, I use Tasty Face Organics Coconut Vanilla Cream Cleanser. This cleanser smells amazing, and if you have really dry skin in the colder months this is PERFECT. You don't need a lot either, I just use a little dab, gently wash my face, and rinse it off with warm water. I really like using this at night for a couple of reasons - it is a little oily (not in a bad way), and it's great to remove your makeup at the end of the day. Also, the smell is so calming, and really helps me relax after a long workday. When drying your face don't apply a lot of pressure with your towel, just pat dry. This will help prevent wrinkles!!

Next, I use Tasty Face Organics Rosemary Aloe Toner. This toner has apple cider, and witch hazel - this will help out with any redness you might have. The last step of my nighttime skin care routine is using Tasty Face Organics Vanilla Mint Daily Moisturizer. I just use a little dab, and apply it all over my face, neck, and hands. I am telling you - a little dab will go a long way! My skin in the morning, is super soft, and glowing.

I am training right now to run a half marathon, and it's kinda chilly at night in Northern Virginia. I started to get chapped lips, and dry skin - this cleanser and moisturizer really helped! I don't apply apply any products to my lips - the moisturizer is that great!!

Kelly's products at Tasty Face Organics are PALEO FRIENDLY! So, all you Paleo Foodies you will LOVE it!! It's all organic, cruelty free, and wonderful for your skin!

Today I made Shepherd's Pie, and it was so easy. I used Kerrygold butter, and coconut milk to make the mashed potatoes - and they were so yummy!! I just browned some ground beef with garlic and onion, added some seasoning, ketchup, and then baked everything for 30 minutes. So easy, and healthy!

This morning was incredibly sad - the last farmer's market of the year. Now, I will have to go back to the grocery store for all my produce. Cannot wait until April 2015!! BUT I did pick up some really yummy goodies this morning.

11.22.2014

I was super excited to open my awesome giveaway box from Merit + Fork! So many awesome goodies in the box too! I immediately started reading Real Life Paleo - you can find this book on Amazon! Paleo Parents are awesome foodies, that offer real life approach to eating healthy.

Thank you again everyone that entered me, and Merit + Fork that offered this awesome giveaway!!

Good morning!! Happy Saturday! I love to make simple meals. Kale and poached eggs are pretty basic,and so easy to make too. I poached two eggs, and then sauteed about a cup of kale in olive oil and minced garlic. So yummy!! I love kale!

11.21.2014

Palo Santo is from South America and means "Wood of the Saints." It's known to rid bad energy, bring good fortune, and increase creativity. It's great to burn when you are meditating too. I purchased mine from The Sage Goddess on Etsy. She has a wonderful shop with gems, and candles, and beauty products.

Burning Instructions

"Use a candle, match or lighter to ignite your stick of Palo Santo. Hold at about a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down toward the flame. Allow it to burn for about 30 secs to 1 minute and then blow out. Move about your workspace, home, car, bathroom or anywhere you would like to clear the energy. The rich smell will also bring peace and clarity to the moment along with good feelings . When finished, place the stick in a fire proof bowl of metal, glass or clay. The glow will end on its own unless you blow on the ember which will keep the smoke going. Always use caution and respect when working with fire." -Sacred Wood Essenes

If you are looking for an alternative from eating eggs and bacon, or you just want an healthy snack, I really recommend LARABAR's Renola! This morning I had it on top of So Delicious' Cultured Coconut Milk Unsweetened Vanilla with fresh strawberries!

11.18.2014

If you are looking for fun workout clothing, try Fabletics! New members get a complete outfit for $25, and if you use my invite you will get $10 off!

Their active wear is well made too. I really love the long sleeve top, it's perfect for the days I am running outside in the cold. LOVE the pants - they are so fun, and great to do yoga in!

Their clothing really supports my active wear addiction! I have washed my top, and bottoms a few times, but I do not dry my workout clothing. I picked up the sports bra from Target, and the kettlebell is from TJMaxx.

This post will be short, and sweet. If you are looking to cure your sweet tooth while eating a Paleo lifestyle - go make Savory Lotus' Maple Glazed Donuts - they are grain free, dairy free, Paleo. They are perfect with a nice hot cup of black coffee!

11.17.2014

This week flew by!! I wish there were more hours in the day, and that Northern Virginia traffic didn't exist. I mean the word rain, really ruins it. BUT I can say this, I am not worried about my weight on the scale anymore. I am also making more time for yoga again. Yoga and running are my two favorite things! I will be pushing myself more this coming week. I am also noticing a change in my bum from all the squats I have been doing. This coming week, I am going to start working on arm workouts. I love leg days, HATE arm workouts. Eh.

11.16.2014

It's that time of the year - red cups!! My healthy drink from Starbucks is an Americano - no room for cream, and zero sugar - with an extra shot. It's perfection if you love coffee, and need that extra boost of caffeine!! After doing A LOT of Whole30's, adding anything to my coffee is a thing of the past for me. I really enjoy drinking my coffee black, and don't miss the cream and sugar.

11.15.2014

If you don't have a COSTCO membership, it isn't bad to look into getting one. OR you could drag your mom there on a Saturday morning, and borrow her membership :)

Eating Paleo doesn't have to break the bank! I am going to start posting more about eating clean on a realistic budget. I have allowed myself to spend $220 every two weeks on grocery items to feed a family of four. I eat a Paleo lifestyle, but I am really working on getting my husband and our kids at least 80/20.

So, this morning we went to COSTCO, and I walked out of there spending $136!

They have really awesome prices on meat!! I just wish they offered more organic meat, but they did offer great prices on their organic chicken and ground beef. Their produce section is AMAZING! They do offer a lot of organic options too. I didn't need any baking items, but they do offer organic coconut flour!

11.12.2014

I had to go to Target last night for soap, but picked up some goodies!

I am really excited to try LARABAR's Renola! This is a grain free and gluten free granola. I also picked up my favorite LARABAR's - blueberry muffin and coconut cream pie are AMAZING!

I also picked up the So Delicious Pumpkin Spice Coconut milk - because pumpkin spice everything, duh. I absolutely love the Justin's Almond Butter packets! They make snack time much easier than toting around a jar of almond butter! Oh, and I picked up my Bigelow Organic Green Tea to start my kombucha this weekend!!

I know that gardening has sadly ended, but I am already prepping for 2015! I had my husband dig out a section of our backyard so I can have more space other than containers. We will build a raised bed garden in the spring so I can have more of a variety of things to grow.

I have slowly started to buy seeds for next spring! The seeds that I have purchased from Baker Creek Heirlooms Seeds are the following:

Poblano Peppers

Black Beauty Eggplant

Green Zebra Tomatoes

White Soul Strawberries

Red Romaine

Roselle Red Thai

I purchase seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Botanical Interests, and Seeds Now. They are all GMO Free, heirloom, organic. I also use EcoScrap organic soil to plant. I stand by only planting GMO Free seeds, and using organic soil.

What a busy week! Finding time to workout can be a little challenging sometimes, but I made sure I did something each day this week.

Monday

Ran two miles

50 squats

25 kickbacks

Tuesday - this day was very challenging, traffic was insane, but I tried to do something!

50 squats

50 sit ups

Wednesday

300 squats - and it felt amazing to accomplish this goal, some I even did with the kettlebell

100 mountain climbers

100 jumping jacks

50 kettlebell swings
100 sit ups

Thursday

Ran two miles

Friday - I had the day off so, I dropped my daughter off at preschool, and walked almost seven miles at the local mall. AND I didn't even shop! Just bought my coffee, and a bottle of water, and crushed my walk.

Saturday

Today I was supposed to run three miles, but I decided that I needed a rest day. I was so sore from walking almost seven miles yesterday. Everyone needs a rest day.

Sunday

GYM DAY - ha. I have a gym membership and never have the time to get there. Well, that's changing today. Making a goal of getting there three days a week AT LEAST. I even went into the scary weight lifting section, and did squats!

My meals were pretty basic. Nothing crazy. I ate steak, chicken, lots of eggs, salads. I tried to add feta, and rice into my diet, but I felt awful the next day. My body is so adjusted to eating Paleo, the smallest change I make, I really pay for it the next day. I get bloated, and feel like I could drink gallons of water. I don't think it was the rice that bothered me as much as the feta. I have had sushi, and that didn't bother me when I ate it. Next time I will just try eating rice, and just not eating dairy. Dairy is the worst for me, and the easiest thing for me to give up.

I do not have celiac disease, but I do have a gluten intolerance. When I eat processed gluten loaded foods, my body aches, my joints hurt, I get extremely tired, and bloated. My legs feel super heavy too.

So, now that I have completed my first week, where's my nice bum, and amazing tummy! ;)

11.03.2014

So, I have reached my goal weight, and now it's time to tone up. After having two C-Sections, I really want to get a nice toned tummy, and my bum needs a little help too! I have taken the past few weeks to figure out what workouts will work for me, and printed a bunch of great fitness plans that I found on Pinterest. My workouts will consist of a lot of strength training, weights, running, some cardio, yoga, and A LOT of squats. I love my kettle bell too!!

I am going to hold myself accountable, and post weekly pictures every Monday on my progress. This will include my workout plan, and what I have been eating. I will be eating my normal Paleo lifestyle. This will also keep me in check during the holiday's! Strong is the new skinny, and I am not striving for perfection, but progress!

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Love Living Whole

hello, my name is steph! welcome to my blog! i am a mom of two, and i love to share my healthy simple meals, yoga, fitness, fashion, and beauty tips! i love sharing real food, and i hope to inspire others!